Abstract
Abstract It is known from experiments that, in the presence of soluble antigens B-cell receptors (BCRs) assemble into small micro clusters and then structure into a cap macro cluster. However the underlying mechanisms of the antigen interaction with the BCRs and their cluster formation remain unclear. Such mutual attraction between two adjacent BCR molecules could arise, among other possibilities, due to cross-linking by bivalent soluble antigens. Recently, we have developed and studied a Monte Carlo model of B cell receptor clustering caused by binding and cross-linking of soluble antigens. The results of our study demonstrate the formation of small micro-clusters of BCR molecules (typically of size 2-10 molecules). But antigen cross-linking only is not adequate enough for the formation of large macro-clusters. A biased diffusion may drive the BCRs to form large macro-cluster. A simple model of biased diffusion where BCR molecules experience a biased directed motion towards the (a) largest cluster or (b) towards a random BCR micro-cluster is then applied, which results in a single macro cluster (cap) of receptor molecules. The mechanisms for both types of biased transport are compared using suitable network based metrics. We also develop and use appropriate network measures to analyze the effect of BCR and antigen concentrations on the receptor clustering, the stability of the formed clusters over the time, and size of BCR-antigen cross-linked chains.
Published Version
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